lobbyist

noun

lob·​by·​ist ˈlä-bē-ist 

plural lobbyists

: one who conducts activities aimed at influencing or swaying public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation : a person engaged in lobbying public officials

The new rule says that if you were a registered lobbyist in the past two years, you can't work for the administration on any issue you touched. After you leave government, you can't lobby the administration at all.

—Jacob Weisberg

Because so many lobbyists have past experience on Capitol Hill, they usually have personal ties both to members of congress and to their key staffers, who vet and prioritize the earmark requests.

—Ken Silverstein

Examples of lobbyist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Republicans have again filed bills that would turn Austin into something of a stepchild of the state — and hamper its ability to hire lobbyists to promote its interests. —Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Hence, the lobbyists get paid big money to buy off the legislators’ votes to divert your money to their clients in contracts, subsidies, rebates and credits. —Christopher Eric Bouchat, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2025

The politics of tipping Eyal Press on the lobbyists who love tax-free gratuities. —Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

Many Believe Time Has Come For The State To Limit The Growth Of Local Spending Barring local officials from hiring contract lobbyists isn’t the only special session agenda item that is sure to draw the ire of local politicians. —Patrick Gleason, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist